It was the old bowler’s dilemma: go for a strike and risk a gutter ball, or try for a split.

It was the old bowler’s dilemma: go for a strike and risk a gutter ball, or try for a split.

The three petitioners before the planning board Aug. 9 were told that five votes – one for each member sitting – would be required to grant special permits. One by one, Red Fish Blue Fish, Common Ground Café and Impulse, LLC, asked for continuances to Aug. 23, when six members are expected to sit.

Representatives from Ardeo on Main and Caffe Gelato Bertini did not attend, but their hardship location sign requests were continued to Aug. 23 as well. The planning board wants to make sure applicants have Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District certificates before coming before them.

Red Fish and Common Ground were looking for hardship location sign approvals, while Stu Bornstein of Impulse had hoped for action on his Route 28, Hyannis property opposite Barnstable Municipal Airport.

Planning board member Dave Munsell was absent. A seventh member has yet to be appointed by the town council.